By the way, why does "non-stop flight" count? I´m guessing that you put this in because what else could a flight be but non-stop (unless you´re very unlucky ). This is tautological but not an oxymoron I think (I thought this was an apparent contradiction in terms). Could you please just provide a definition so we´re all on the same page.

By the way, why does "non-stop flight" count? I´m guessing that you put this in because what else could a flight be but non-stop (unless you´re very unlucky ). This is tautological but not an oxymoron I think (I thought this was an apparent contradiction in terms). Could you please just provide a definition so we´re all on the same page.

Great idea!

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Thanks for the contributions and the question. To me an oxymoron contains contradictory words. As all flights must have at least one stop, the point of landing at a destination, 'non-stop' contradicts 'flight', which implies a point of take-off and a point of landing.

I'll post some definitions, as that may help provoke more of this good wordplay.

Thanks for the contributions and the question. To me an oxymoron contains contradictory words. As all flights must have at least one stop, the point of landing at a destination, 'non-stop' contradicts 'flight', which implies a point of take-off and a point of landing.

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Ah yes, I see what you mean now, yes you´re absolutely right. I was reading it as "non-stopover flight" which would be tautological but not an oxymoron.

(I still don't know what exactly an oxymoron is. I think that some of the examples we posed don't quite live up to the definition and we would need some true New Englander to sort things out. However, I find it more amusing and entertaining than the game between the Spurs 75 and Miami Heat 78 (fourth quarter at 8:30')! )

(I still don't know what exactly an oxymoron is. I think that some of the examples we posed don't quite live up to the definition and we would need some true New Englander to sort things out. However, I find it more amusing and entertaining than the game between the Spurs 75 and Miami Heat 78 (fourth quarter at 8:30')! )

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A true New Englander was not born in Wisconsin, and is likely a Red Sox and Pats fan, so I certainly do not qualify. However, I am please to suggest that you read post #6 of this thread between foul shots.

Let me rephrase my question: Are all the examples that have been suggested oxymorons? Do all examples live up to the definition given above?

I've always struggled with this word. The only way I could make sense of it before and even after reaching the stage of formal operations (Piaget) was by picturing a moron (I have always been surrounded by them) sitting on an ox.